Electric Machine Connector Arrangement on End Face

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical machines face challenges in maximizing power density within limited installation space due to inefficient fluid and electrical connection arrangements, leading to increased space requirements for installation, removal, and servicing, especially in vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A housing design for electrical machines with an electrical connection and fluid channel where both connections are integrated on the same end face, allowing for a meandering or spiral fluid channel and a cylindrical housing wall with a radial expansion that optimizes space usage, enabling easy handling and efficient cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electrical connection and fluid connection are arranged on different end faces, then the connections can be easily accessed, but the installation space increases radially

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of connectionsVSAvoidInstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines both the electrical connection and fluid connection on the same end face of the housing, merging two previously separate connection points into a single location. This reduces the radial installation space required while maintaining accessibility for installation and maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a radial arrangement of connections (on different end faces) to an axial arrangement (on the same end face), utilizing the axial dimension more effectively. This dimensional reorganization allows both connections to coexist in a compact radial footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the housing wall has large radial extension, then the electrical machine can accommodate all connections, but the power density decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccommodation of connectionsVSAvoidPower density
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the electrical and fluid connections onto the same end face, the patent reduces the overall radial extension of the housing wall needed to accommodate all connections. This compact arrangement increases the power density while still providing adequate space for both connection types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If electrical connection and fluid connection are on the same end face, then the installation space is minimized, but the handling and connection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInstallation spaceVSAvoidConnection arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connection area on the end face into distinct zones for electrical and fluid connections, allowing them to be closely positioned without interfering with each other. This segmentation maintains simplicity in handling while achieving compact space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design allows for the full utilization of radially limited installation space, enhancing power density and facilitating easy maintenance by integrating electrical and fluid connections on the same end face, thus reducing the overall size of the electrical machine while maintaining effective cooling.

Implementation Method 1

The housing (1) includes a fluid channel (12) which is designed to receive a fluid (15) for cooling the electric machine (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3563470A1Arrangement of a connector on an end side of an electric machine
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 INNOMOTICS GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a housing (1) for an electric machine (2), having an electrical connector (4) via which a supply of electrical energy to the electric machine (2) is made possible, having a fluid channel (12) for accommodating a fluid (15) for cooling the electric machine (2), and having a fluid connector (3), which comprises an inlet (30) and an outlet (31), via which fluid connector (3) the fluid channel (12) can be filled with the fluid (15) and evacuated, wherein the housing (1) has a housing wall (10) which has an axial extent (54) between two end sides (14) along a first spatial direction (50) and a radial extent with an extent radius (53) along two further spatial directions (51, 52), and wherein the electrical connector (4) and the fluid connector (3) are, with respect to the two further spatial directions (51, 52), arranged within the extent radius (53). To permit improved utilization or exploitation of a limited installation space in relation to the prior art, provision is made according to the invention for the electrical connector (4) and the fluid connector (3) to be arranged on the same of the end sides (14).